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Frequently Asked Questions About Foot and Ankle Care
Your guide to the commonest questions that get asked about Mr Shelain Patel's practice
Patients often have questions about arranging a consultation, understanding their diagnosis, choosing treatment and recovering after surgery. This page brings together answers to common questions about Mr Shelain Patel's private foot and ankle practice in London.
If your question is not answered below, please contact the practice team.
1. Appointments and consultations
What conditions does Mr Shelain Patel treat?
Mr Patel is a Consultant Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon whose practice focuses on conditions affecting the foot and ankle. These include ankle arthritis, ankle instability, Achilles tendon disorders, bunions, flat feet, foot deformity, sports injuries, fractures and other conditions affecting walking and mobility.
Explore the Foot and Ankle Conditions section for further information.
Do I need a GP referral?
Referral requirements depend on your insurer and the arrangements for your appointment. Some insurance policies require a GP or other healthcare professional's referral, while self-pay arrangements may differ. Please check with your insurer and the practice team before booking.
Do I need an MRI scan before my consultation?
No. You do not usually need to arrange an MRI before your first appointment. Your symptoms and clinical examination will help determine whether imaging is required. Depending on the condition, weight-bearing X-rays, MRI, CT or ultrasound may be recommended.
Can I arrange a second opinion?
Yes. A specialist consultation may help if you have already received a diagnosis, have been advised to consider surgery or would like to understand alternative treatment options. Please bring previous clinic letters, imaging and details of treatments already undertaken where available.
What should I bring to my consultation?
Bring a list of your medications and allergies, details of previous operations and treatments, relevant clinic letters and any available imaging or scan reports. If your scans were performed elsewhere, let the practice team know in advance so that access to the images can be explored.
You may also find it helpful to write down your main concerns and questions.
Read the Preparing for Your Consultation guide.
Where do consultations take place?
Mr Patel sees private patients at selected London and Hertfordshire locations. Please check the current clinic locations page and confirm the venue of your appointment with the practice team before travelling.
How do I book an appointment?
Please use the Contact page to enquire about an appointment. The practice team can advise on available appointments, clinic locations and the information needed before your consultation.
2. Fees, insurance and payment
Will my private medical insurance cover my consultation?
Cover depends on your insurer, policy and authorisation arrangements. Contact your insurer before your appointment to confirm that Mr Patel and the chosen hospital or clinic are covered. Ask whether your policy requires pre-authorisation and whether any excess, shortfall or exclusions apply. Cover for a consultation does not automatically mean that subsequent imaging, procedures or surgery will also be covered.
Can I pay for treatment myself?
Self-pay appointments may be available. Please contact the practice team for current consultation fees and information about the anticipated costs of any investigations or treatment. Hospital fees, imaging, consultant fees and surgical costs may be charged separately. Request a clear explanation of the expected costs before proceeding.
Will I know the cost of surgery in advance?
If surgery is recommended, ask for an explanation of the anticipated consultant, hospital, anaesthetic and other relevant fees. The final cost may depend on the procedure, hospital arrangements and any additional treatment required.
3. Diagnosis and treatment options
Does every foot or ankle condition require surgery?
No. Many conditions can be managed without an operation. Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include activity modification, physiotherapy, footwear changes, orthotics, medication or selected injections. Surgery is considered when the potential benefits justify the risks and when it is an appropriate option for your particular circumstances.
How do I know whether I need surgery?
The decision depends on your symptoms, examination findings, investigations, the effect of the condition on your life and the response to previous treatment. Your consultation should cover the potential benefits, risks and alternatives so that you can make an informed decision.
What are the risks of foot and ankle surgery?
The risks vary according to the operation and your individual health. They may include infection, wound-healing problems, blood clots, nerve injury, persistent pain, stiffness, failure to achieve the intended improvement and the possibility of further surgery.
Your surgeon will discuss the risks that are relevant to your proposed procedure, alongside its expected benefits, alternatives and recovery requirements.
Is ankle replacement better than ankle fusion?
Neither procedure is best for everyone. Ankle replacement aims to relieve pain while preserving movement at the ankle joint. Ankle fusion aims to relieve pain by joining the bones of the joint, which removes movement at that joint.
The most appropriate option depends on factors such as your arthritis, bone and soft-tissue condition, alignment, activity requirements and general health.
Read the Ankle Replacement versus Ankle Fusion guide.
Can an Achilles tendon rupture heal without surgery?
Yes. Selected Achilles tendon ruptures can be managed without surgery, using a structured rehabilitation programme. Surgery may be appropriate in other circumstances. The decision depends on the nature of the injury, your activity requirements, health and individual clinical findings.
Do bunions always need surgery?
No. A bunion does not automatically require an operation. Comfortable footwear, modification of activities and other non-operative measures may help manage symptoms. Surgery may be considered when pain and functional limitations remain significant despite appropriate conservative treatment.
Can flat feet be treated without surgery?
Yes. Depending on the cause, flexibility and severity of the deformity, treatment may include footwear modification, orthotics, physiotherapy and activity modification. Surgery is reserved for selected patients whose symptoms and deformity warrant it.
4. Preparing for surgery
What should I do before my operation?
Follow the instructions provided by your surgical and anaesthetic teams. These may include guidance about fasting, medication, transport home, mobility aids and preparing your home for recovery.
Tell your clinical team about your medical conditions, allergies and medications. Do not stop prescribed medication unless instructed by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Will I need a cast or surgical boot?
That depends on the procedure. Some operations require a cast or splint to protect healing tissues, while others use a removable surgical boot or specialist footwear. Your surgeon will explain the arrangements for your operation.
Will I be able to walk immediately after surgery?
Not necessarily. Some procedures allow early weight-bearing, whereas others require you to keep weight off the operated foot for a period. Follow your individual instructions and do not increase weight-bearing simply because the pain has improved.
5. Recovery and aftercare
How long does recovery take after foot and ankle surgery?
Recovery varies considerably. It depends on the procedure, the tissues that need to heal, your general health and your rehabilitation. Some patients resume many daily activities within weeks, while bone fusion and complex reconstruction may require several months or longer.
Your surgeon will explain the likely recovery milestones for your specific operation.
Why is elevation important after surgery?
Elevation can help reduce swelling, discomfort and pressure around the surgical wound. Follow the positioning advice provided by your surgical team, particularly if you have a cast or boot. The amount and duration of elevation required will depend on your operation and recovery.
How high should I elevate my foot?
When advised to elevate your foot, aim to support it comfortably above heart level while resting, if this is practical and consistent with your postoperative instructions. Pillows or a suitable leg-elevation support may help. Avoid positions that place pressure on the wound or cause discomfort.
Is swelling normal after foot and ankle surgery?
Swelling is common and can persist for weeks or months. It may fluctuate with activity and often takes time to settle. However, sudden or marked swelling, especially with increasing pain, calf symptoms, colour changes or other new symptoms, should be assessed promptly.
How quickly can I return to driving?
There is no single timetable that applies to every operation. You must be able to control the vehicle safely and perform an emergency stop without hesitation or restriction. A cast, surgical boot, pain or medication may make driving unsafe.
Follow your surgeon's advice, check your motor insurance requirements and comply with applicable DVLA guidance before driving again.
Can I get my cast or dressing wet?
Unless your clinical team has specifically advised otherwise, keep your cast and dressing dry. Water can damage the cast or dressing and cause skin problems. Ask the team about suitable waterproof protection for bathing or showering.
Do not remove or modify your cast or dressing without advice.
Do I need vitamin supplements to help recovery?
A balanced diet with adequate nutrients supports general recovery. Vitamin supplements are not necessary for everyone, and there is no single supplement regimen suitable for every patient. If you have a known deficiency, dietary restrictions or concerns about nutrition, ask your healthcare professional whether testing or supplementation is appropriate. However, normal levels of Vitamin D are consistently associated with better outcomes after orthopaedic surgeries, so taking a dose of between 10-25mcg once daily will help maintain levels. This is more important in the winter months when low sunlight levels in the UK means many patients will not produce enough vitamin D themselves and become deficient.
Similarly Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, with collagen being one of the building blocks of bone and soft-tissues. High dose supplements are probably unnecessary since it is water soluble and therefore excess amounts are excreted by the body. Many patients will get enough vitamin C with a healthy diet full of green vegetables and certain fruits. Nonetheless, high dose supplements are unlikely to be harmful if taken.
What equipment might help me at home?
Depending on your operation and mobility, you may find crutches, a walking frame, a knee walker, a shower seat or a leg-elevation support helpful. Your clinical team can advise which aids are suitable and how to use them safely.
When can I return to work or sport?
This depends on the procedure, the progress of healing and the demands of your work or sport. Desk-based work may be possible earlier than a job requiring prolonged standing or walking. Running and high-impact sport usually require additional recovery and rehabilitation.
Discuss your plans with your surgeon or physiotherapist before increasing activity.
What symptoms should concern me after surgery?
Contact your surgical team promptly if you develop increasing redness, discharge from the wound, fever, worsening pain or other unexpected symptoms.
New calf or thigh pain or swelling may indicate a blood clot and needs urgent medical assessment. Severe or rapidly worsening pain, marked swelling, cold or discoloured toes, or new numbness in a cast or boot also require urgent assessment.
Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood or collapse may indicate a life-threatening emergency. Call 999 immediately.
Who should I contact if I have a problem after surgery?
During practice opening hours, contact the practice team using the telephone details provided in your postoperative information. If you have a concerning symptom that cannot wait until the practice reopens, seek urgent medical assessment through an appropriate urgent care service or emergency department.
For emergency symptoms, call 999. Do not rely on an email or website enquiry form for urgent medical advice.
6. More patient information
You may also find these resources helpful:
If your question is not answered here, please contact the practice team.
This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Your diagnosis, treatment and recovery plan should be discussed with your treating clinician.